Report: Leicester unsure whether Puel should be manager next season

Claude Puel may have four league matches to prove he is the right man to oversee Leicester City in the 2018-19 season.

A run of just four wins in the Foxes' past 17 Premier League outings has led to doubts over his future, according to the Guardian's Stuart James. The Frenchman's reputation had initially appeared to be on the mend in the East Midlands following his controversial dismissal at Southampton last June.

Puel has apparently rotated his squad without explaining his decisions, and the first team has also questioned the intensity of his training sessions. Furthermore, it is understood that his distant relationship with the board and the supporters' boos following April 19's 0-0 draw with Southampton - the fifth match in a row in which the club had dropped points at home - could contribute to his downfall.

Leicester would prefer to not make another change at the helm - Puel was called in to replace Craig Shakespeare in October - but if things don't improve the club may feel compelled to act.

Qualification for the Europa League is nearly out of reach, with seventh-placed Burnley nine points better off after 34 league matches. It's a disappointing return giving how Leicester played over the opening half of the term, and the Foxes want to be sure they can trust Puel with what may be another significant summer outlay.

It could be a critical period for the club in terms of outgoings, as well. The future of Riyad Mahrez, the subject of bids from Manchester City in January, is unclear, while several other senior squad members are set to leave.

Puel will begin his mission to prove he's the man to take the 2015-16 Premier League champion into next season when his side visits Crystal Palace on Saturday.